As I write this, June 17, 2024, I am remembering 28 plus years of a life together and wonder with difficulty to sometimes fully comprehend that 6 years have simply slipped by since John’s sudden passing from pancreatic cancer on June 18th, 2018.

“with so little to be sure of, in this world, we had a moment, a marvellous moment!”

Stephen Sondheim. Anyone Can Whistle.

from June 18th, 2018

I am speechless these days.

Sadness, pain, grief, disbelief. It is with such a broken heart that I must announce the recent passing of my husband, co-founder, partner of 27 years and chief instigator of our 2004 #aroundtheworld followsummer trip John Mountain, who faced an aggressive, unrelenting pancreatic #cancer. Only five weeks ago were we planning the next 20 years. We have so many memories. I wanted to share our very first followsummer post, January 3, 2004: bit.ly/johnandgregfirstpost

This is happening so quickly for us, so quickly. We have been overwhelmed with support from our families, friends and business associates. No words except THANK YOU to all our immediate family and friends and to our global #travel family for all support, kind thoughts and well wishes and love.

Passed away peacefully at home, hours ahead of a scheduled Medical Assistance in Dying, with metastatic pancreatic cancer nipping at his heels. Surrounded by his husband Greg, mother Lois, sisters Pam, Ruth, Liz, and Janet, brother Eric, nephew Nimi, and their cats Sophia, Ariel and Hastings. (Predeceased by his father Bob.)

John was passionate about all things:

He loved his family and friends, good art, architecture, opera and theatre. He loved good food, whether snuggling in with a bowl of pasta at home with Greg on a cold winter night or dining out in a fancy restaurant – he sure loved fancy restaurants. And he loved to travel.

John loved his work. He was thrilled to rejoin the Ontario Securities Commission two years ago to help make investing in funds better for everyone; he enjoyed the commitment to action he found – he liked action. He worked at the OSC with the best team ever – smart and committed, with a wonderful sense of humour. He deeply respected the leadership his former company showed on ESG matters and his role in that.

John always believed that by leading his life as an openly gay man, exerting pressure from inside where he could, and from outside where it was needed, he helped make it easier for younger LGBTQ people.

He was so proud of being able to give back with his volunteer and charitable board work over the years.

John loved his connection with Windsor Law, and the opportunity it gave him to meet a whole new generation of young lawyers through teaching securities regulation there. He felt he got far more from his students than he was ever able to give them back.

But most of all, John loved Greg. He thanked the stars for introducing them in 1991 and told anyone who asked that it was the luckiest day of his life. For 27 years, through thick and thin, Greg brought John joy every single day. The fact that John was able to marry Greg in 2003 made him even prouder of his Canadian identity. He is so proud of the travel blog that he and Greg started in 2003, followsummer.com

John and Greg thank so many people for their help through John’s brief illness but in particular Jacqueline Jordan, who just knew what was needed at all times.